More commissions, more original series, more investment and a world-leading commitment to the environment. Sky today set out its stall for 2020.
The news was unveiled Feb. 12 at Sky’s “Up Next” showcase event, where the broadcaster shared exclusive previews of brand-new shows due to air this year, with over 25 talent on stage including David Schwimmer, Nick Mohammed, Maisie Williams, Billie Piper, Dynamo, Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan.
80 original series will hit Sky screens in 2020, an increase of 25% year-on-year from 2019, together with a 40% boost in the volume of programming from the US. This is alongside aggregated content from its partnerships with Netflix, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5, offering customers all the best TV in one seamless service.
“2020 is going to be the best year yet for content on Sky – we have over 80 original series and 40% more US shows, we have new channels like Sky Comedy, Sky Nature and Sky Documentaries launching and we are announcing ten new commissions today,” said Jeremy Darroch, Group CEO, Sky. “In an increasingly competitive market, we keep pushing to give our customers what they want, all the best TV, all in one place.”
“In a world where there are more hours of content than ever, we want to make sure that we’re offering our customers the most high-end, engaging TV that quite simply blows them away,” said Sky’s Managing Director of Content Zai Bennett. “We’re creating and investing in our own world-class original content that sits perfectly alongside the best from the US. This year we’ll be making more of our customers’ favorite shows than ever before.”
Sky is committed to more than doubling its investment in original content by 2024 through Sky Studios, as well as the proposed development of Sky Studios Elstree, a new state-of-the-art TV and film studio in North London. As part of Sky’s commitment to go net zero carbon by 2030, Sky Studios Elstree will be the most sustainable production facility in the world, with all Sky original productions net zero carbon as well.
Click here to see Sky’s new programming slate.
ABOUT KAUSER KANJI
Kauser Kanji has been working in online video for 19 years, formerly at Virgin Media, ITN and NBC Universal, and founded VOD Professional in 2011. He has since completed major OTT projects for, amongst others, A+E Networks, the BBC, BBC Studios, Channel 4, DR (Denmark), Liberty Global, Netflix, Sony Pictures, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and UKTV. He now writes industry analyses, hosts an online debate show, OTT Question Time, as well as its in-person sister event, OTT Question Time Live.